❄️ Winter camping in Norway
Winter in the fjords and the north brings silence, clean air and the chance to see the northern lights. To ensure your trip is warm and safe, think in advance about your accommodation (tent, rorbu/cottage, bobil), heating system, layers of clothing, road conditions and a plan B for bad weather. Below are practical checklists, calculators and templates ready to be inserted into your website.
🧭 Accommodation: tent, rorbu or bobil
Tent (winter camping). Maximum adventure and independence. You will need warm "sleeping" system solutions: a four-season tent, two mats with a high R-value, and a spare sleeping bag.
Rorbu/cottage. Warm living conditions, drying room (tørkerom), kitchen, bathroom. Good for families, beginners and winter workations.
Bobil. Freedom of route, but discipline in terms of electricity and heat conservation, "winter package" (tank/grey water heating), choice of sites with electricity.
🧥 Layers of clothing: how not to freeze or overheat
Base layer: merino/synthetic, depending on activity.
Insulation: down/synthetic (sweater + jacket).
Protection: wind/snow membrane.
Accessories: two hats (lightweight/warm), mittens over gloves, buff/mask, warm socks and spare dry ones, micro-spikes for ice.
🧩 Layer planner (by temperature and activity)
🛏️ Sleeping in a tent: a warm "package" (sleeping bag + mats)
When camping in winter, it's not just your sleeping bag that keeps you warm: the R-value of your mat and the dryness of your insulation are half the battle. Use a double layer of mats (inflatable + foam), eliminate draughts and low-profile guy ropes.
🧮 Sleeping space heat calculator
🔥 Cooking and fuel in winter
Gas mixtures work less efficiently in cold weather; reversible gas systems or petrol burners are convenient in winter. Cook in a wind-protected area, not in a tent, and use a vestibule/canopy with good ventilation. If you melt snow, consumption increases.
🧮 Fuel consumption calculator (gas/petrol)
🏠 Warm rorbu in winter: what to ask the hosts
Ask about the type of heating (heat pump/radiators/underfloor heating/stove), tørkerom for clothes, double glazing, threshold at the entrance (icy steps), parking at the door and quiet hours. For fishing — a room for cutting up fish and a freezer.
✅ Checklist for choosing a rorbu in winter
💧 Humidity and ventilation: no condensation
In winter, the house quickly becomes humid due to cooking and drying clothes. Maintain a balance: brief ventilation (3–5 minutes), extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom, dry clothes in the drying room rather than in the bedroom.
🌡️ Dew point and ventilation
🧊 Safety: fire, CO, ice, darkness
● Fire. Only certified stoves/heaters may be used indoors. Gas/hot plates are not permitted in tents or bedrooms. Keep a fire extinguisher/fireproof stand nearby.
● CO/smoke. Use CO and smoke detectors, ventilate. Symptoms of CO poisoning — headache, nausea, drowsiness — go outside immediately.
● Ice/snow. Microspikes for walking, headlamp, gloves with grippy palms. Do not walk on the edge of waves on stone slabs.
● Car. Fuel supply, shovel, tow rope, jumper cables, charged power banks.
🚗 Winter car kit: checklist
🛣️ Roads in winter: preparedness and plan B
In winter, some mountain passes are closed, and some sections require driving in convoy. Plan your daily journeys, allow extra time and fuel. For bobil — keep an eye on your gas level and warm tanks.
🧭 Winter road readiness assessment
🧳 Mini winter camping packing list
Tent: 4-season, low profile, additional guy ropes.
Sleeping: comfortable sleeping bag with extra warmth, liner, two mats with a total R ≥ 5.
Kitchen: wind protection, gas/petrol + spare, thermos, lightweight pot with lid.
Clothing: layers (see planner), two pairs of gloves, warm socks + spare.
Safety: CO detector (for huts), headlamp, first aid kit, micro-spikes.
Navigation: offline map, power bank, spot signal/communication.
❓ FAQ
Yes. The combination of foam and inflatable provides a high R-value and protection in case of a puncture. For −10 °C and below, aim for a total R ≥ 5.
Only with very good ventilation, in a wind-protected vestibule and on a safe base. Not inside the sleeping area. Keep an eye on the flame, do not use open fire.
Warmth and drying: after a snowy day, your things will dry quickly, and the kitchen and shower will save you energy. This is especially important for families and beginners.
The comfort rating of the sleeping bag should be 3–5°C lower than the expected minimum temperature, plus the liner/clothing. Our calculator will help you estimate the "effective comfort" rating.
Travel during the day, have a plan B to bypass passes/tunnels, and keep chains and warm clothes handy. Travelling in a convoy at night requires extra fuel and time.
Set up your tent facing the wind, with a low profile, all guy ropes, snow anchors/bags of snow/stones. In the event of a storm, move to a sheltered bay or cabin.
Ventilate briefly (3–5 minutes), use the extractor fan when cooking, dry your things in the drying room. Keep an eye on the dew point — see the widget above.
Yes, there is often ice on the embankments and paths. Lightweight overboots significantly increase stability.
Batteries lose capacity in the cold. You need regular connections to 230 V, heating savings and a "winter package" (tank heating).
Yes: a tent/small house as a base + short night trips to cloudless "windows". Prepare a thermos, an extra layer of clothing, and pre-planned parking spots.
